Styling The Next Generation, Ruff 'n' Tumble's Adenike Ogunlesi
The first time I saw Adenike Ogunlesi. I was binge-watching episodes of Lion's Den with my mum and brothers. Her red-rimmed glasses, stylish dress and haircut exuded importance, and she looked like she belonged in that room with the other multi-millionaires.
When the credits of the lions played on the screen, I discovered she owned Ruff 'n' Tumble. My mum pointed out that Ruff 'n' Tumble was one of the biggest makers of children's wear when she was at University.
Career
Adenike Ogunlesi started the Ruff ‘n’ Tumble brand from the boot of her car in 1998, with a staff strength of fewer than 20 people.
Today, Ruff 'n' Tumble is a reputable pan-African brand, operating with over 300 employees, 17 retail outlets, an online presence and expansion plans across the African continent and the international community. She is an alumnus of the prestigious Lagos Business School.
Adenike started making clothes when she was young, as an apprentice to her mother who taught her the art of tailoring and how to make her own clothes.
Her quest for innovation and redefining what’s possible on her terms led to her creation of Gatimo Apparel manufacturing, a garment manufacturing facility with a capacity to contract and manufacture high-quality garments at global standards.
A passionate speaker and an advocate for a more equitable society; she advocates for women owning their greatness by believing in the truest expression of themselves and being financially independent.
Adenike’s calling and desire for the development and growth of people led to the birth of the Betti-Okuboyejo Foundation- a garment-making training facility which has graduated over 200 youths, empowering them with skills in garment making & entrepreneurship. She also founded the ‘I Share Cuz I Care’ Foundation by Ruff ‘n’ Tumble; a community which promotes sharing and caring among children and has impacted thousands of children through the feed a child campaign and the dress a child campaign – where brand new school uniforms and shoes are given to pupils in various schools within our local communities.
Adenike is also a Non-Executive Director at Lafarge Holcim Plc and the founding member and first president of the Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW) at the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA). She is also an advisory board member and mentor at WISTAR (Women in Successful Careers), a structured mentoring programme for young women, and the Coordinator of The Marriage & Family Life Unit at the Catholic Church of the Presentation.